Sotheby's Sales Director

About Sotheby's

Sotheby’s is an auction house founded in London in 1744. Its specialists work across fine art and collecting categories including jewelry, watches, handbags, wine, design, and classic cars. The house connects collectors through live and online auctions, private sales, and fixed-price purchases. Its work spans specialist research and cataloging, client services, marketing, technology, finance, and operations, supporting the preparation, sale, and movement of objects across its international network.

Role & Responsibilities

• Build lasting, trusted client relationships through collector-car expertise and high-quality advice.
• Partner with the Managing Director and leadership team to grow revenue and infrastructure in Switzerland and neighbouring DACH markets.
• Develop and maintain networks among Swiss collectors, family offices, private banks, wealth managers and their advisers.
• Work with the Managing Director to drive client adoption and expansion of the Sealed business in Switzerland.
• Collaborate with Sotheby’s luxury division in Switzerland to identify opportunities for collaboration and client development.
• Generate revenue through consignments for private sales, Sealed and brokerage; identify collector cars for future sale inventory and sell cars held in inventory.
• Help clients pursue their collecting interests, build or divest collections, and make financial or portfolio decisions.
• Generate revenue by providing appraisals for estate planning, financing and other client needs.
• Promote existing private-sale consignments, sales and events to current and prospective clients.
• Represent RM Sotheby’s as a brand ambassador at events in Switzerland, across Europe and at key international events.
• Support RM Sotheby’s Swiss auctions alongside Private Sales and Sealed, including consignments, client development and sale delivery.
• Contribute to the development of the Swiss team and support, train and mentor junior team members where relevant.
• Generate and develop new clients through networking and follow-up on assigned leads.
• Work with the RMS research department and communicate the history, provenance and unique selling features of private-sale consignments.
• Carry out other activities assigned by the employer related to generating revenue through motor-car transactions.

Qualifications

• Significant senior experience in collector-car sales, auctions or dealing, or in private banking, wealth management or luxury sales with a strong collector-car focus.
• Established network among Swiss and European collectors, family offices, private banks and wealth managers.
• Proven ability to originate and close high-value transactions and develop and mentor colleagues.
• Fluent English, plus fluent German and/or French; Italian is a plus.
• Right to work in Switzerland.
• Impeccable discretion and confidentiality when dealing with UHNW clients.
• Willingness to travel regularly across Switzerland and Europe, and to key international events.

Skills

Experience

Significant senior experience in collector-car sales, auctions or dealing, or in private banking, wealth management or luxury sales with a strong collector-car focus.

Culture

Sotheby’s describes its culture in terms of client service, specialist knowledge, curiosity, collaboration, and ethical conduct. Its careers materials emphasize working across disciplines and encouraging employees to explore internal opportunities.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.